Govt cracks down on "energy" drinks

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: The Council of Ministers has banned the sale of energy drinks at all government, education and health facilities, with a further prohibition on companies advertising these products, and sponsoring social, cultural and sports events.

The government also wants energy drink companies to have warning labels in Arabic and English on their products outlining their harmful effects. The regulations follow an Interior Ministry’s study of "the adverse effects of energy drinks," the SPA reported.

The ban includes the sale of these products at public and private sports clubs and gyms, and covers consumers of all age groups.

Minister of Culture and Information Abdul Aziz Khoja said in a statement after the Cabinet meeting that the advertising and promotional ban covers print, audio and visual media. Prince Muqrin, second deputy premier, adviser and special envoy to the king, chaired the meeting at Yamamah Palace in Riyadh on Monday.

The Cabinet also issued a decision that requires all visitors to the Kingdom to have mandatory health insurance.

This covers visit visas, extension of expiring visas, and land transit visas. The insurance should cover all health conditions, emergencies, and health-related airlifting.